biochemical individuality

Almost daily articles, reports, or studies appear claiming nutritional supplements are not effective. The claims vary, but the verdict is always there is little or no scientific evidence proving supplements (or the nutrients in supplements) work. Others assert that people who take supplements have the world’s most expensive urine. This is nonsense! The scientific evidence is clear, available, and it has been for a long time.

Among the many problems with these reports is bashing supplements based on studies using low dose or non-therapeutic levels of nutrients. There is frequently failure to consider the importance of synergy among nutrients. Often there is data manipulation via statistical methods (often in meta-analyses).

Well beyond the question of whether supplements support health are the factors in modern life that create a greater needs for supplementing with important vitamins, minerals, cofactors, and other nutrients.

This month we present “Seven Arguments for Nutritional Supplements.” As the title implies, there are at least seven solid arguments for nutritional supplementation. There are actually a lot more.

To preview these arguments in favor of taking supplements, they are: 1) reduced food quality, 2) nutrient density varies by location, 3) modern lifestyles and stress, 4) environmental pollution, 5) too low RDAs, and 6) promotion of health and delaying of aging, and 7) the human right to correct information.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) are one type of essential nutrient required for health.

We at HPDI re-publish articles from the Orthomolecular News Service (OMNS) because the authors provide much needed truth. Truth the form of correcting the false assumptions of anti-supplement propagandists to clarify the benefits of nutritional supplements. This information can help people be healthier easily and at relatively low cost.

HPDI offers a full line of foundational nutritional supplements, including multivitamins, vitamin C and antioxidant formulas, essential fats, and high-RNA Rejuvenate! superfoods. We also offer nearly 100 other nutritional supplements from single nutrients to condition specific formulas. See our full product overview.

Enjoy this article from the Orthomolecular News Service (OMNS). ~

Seven Arguments for Taking Nutritional Supplements

by Dag Viljen Poleszynski, PhD

(OMNS Sept 12 2018)

One of the most vitamin-restrictive countries in the world is Norway. There, authorities limit potencies to only slightly higher than RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) levels for dietary supplements sold outside of pharmacies. The traditional reasoning is that most people receive the nutrients they need from a “balanced diet.” [1]

The authorities are also obsessively concerned that some vitamins and minerals are harmful in high doses. And, since an intake of water-soluble vitamins in excess of needs is excreted in the urine, Norwegian “experts” advise that taking supplements is a waste of money.

Accordingly, the argument goes, the public should be protected not only from possible harm, but also from wasting money on unnecessary nutrients. The official policies on nutritional supplements vary within OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries. Some are more liberal, while others are even more restrictive.

The official view on the connection between nutrient intake and possible toxicity is illustrated by the Norwegian Food Authority in a graph. [2]

Perceived risk from intake of nutrients. (Source: Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals. Safe upper limits for Vitamins and Minerals. May 2003: Food Standards Agency, UK.)

The graph illustrates the official view on nutrients, assuming that nutrients function in the same way as pharmaceuticals, which they do not. Supplements of most vitamins, but also minerals and other nutrients, do not have very serious side effects even when taken at very high levels – in contrast with most drugs. [3,4] The fact that most of the chemotherapeutic drugs used against cancer have none or even just marginal effects against most cancers [5], while at the same time cause a lot of serious side effects, is rarely up for discussion.

The idea that nutritional supplements are not safe has a legal underpinning in Norwegian Food Law, which in section 16 prohibits sale of any food which is not safe: “Any food shall be considered not to be safe if it is seen as detrimental to health or not fit for consumption.” [6]

However, the Norwegian authorities do admit that vitamin D supplements are needed during part of the year. [1] Only part of the year? One third of Norway is within the Arctic Circle. Norway has far too little sunshine (especially during winter months) to get adequate levels of vitamin D from UVB radiation on the skin.

The authorities also recommend that pregnant women take folic acid to prevent birth defects, and omega-3-fatty acids may be advisable for those who do not eat fish regularly. Norwegians have a long tradition of giving children cod liver oil, which in a daily tablespoon provides enough vitamin A and D and essential fatty acids to cover basic needs.

Essential and conditionally essential nutrients

There are thousands of dietary supplements on the market, including 40+ essential nutrients alone and in various combinations, i.e. vitamins, minerals, trace elements and fatty acids. However, a number of other nutrients are “conditionally essential”, meaning that the body normally can make these molecules, but some people do not make optimal amounts. Examples are L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, the methyl donor betaine, [7] chondroitin sulfate, coenzyme Q10, choline, amino acids such as tyrosine or arginine, and “essential” sugars normally formed in the body. [8]

Healthy young people normally make sufficient amounts of conditionally essential molecules in the body, although the levels are not always optimal. With inadequate levels of minerals or vitamins, key enzymes in biochemical pathways may not function optimally.

Due to genetic mutations, some enzymes may have increased needs for certain cofactors (vitamins), which can prevent them from functioning optimally.[9] Some enzymes only function normally when supplied with cofactors in greater amounts than normally required.

If supplements of essential nutrients prove insufficient for optimal enzyme function, “conditionally essential” nutrients may be added as part of a comprehensive, therapeutic program.

Some reservations

Parents are advised to become familiar with the literature on essential nutrients, for instance by consulting the Orthomolecular News Service. Children should be given supplements in appropriate doses and in a suitable form. Pills should not be given before children can control the swallowing reflex. Multivitamin powder can be given dissolved in water or juice. Parents should not dose vitamin C so high that a child comes to school or kindergarten with loose bowels or diarrhea.

In high doses, niacin may cause unpleasant side effects such as flushing and itching lasting up to several hours. [10] Although this is not dangerous, it may cause a child to feel unwell and anxious. Starting niacin supplementation with a low dose and gradually increasing it will allow the body to adapt and avoid the niacin flush.

A multivitamin supplement containing moderate amounts of niacin is often adequate until a child is 8-10 years old. For younger children, the dosage should start with only a few tens of milligrams, and not increased to more than 50-100 mg/day. Adults may gradually get used to taking 1,000-1,500 mg/d divided into 3 doses per day.

When it comes to omega-3 fatty acids (omega = ω) such as EPA and DHA, children may be given cod liver oil and served fish and/or other seafood 2-3 times a week. It is important to check the dose of vitamin A supplied, as it can be toxic in high doses, especially for children. One problem with cod liver oil today is that vitamin D has been removed during processing, thus changing the natural ratio of the two vitamins so that we ingest relatively too much of vitamin A. [11]

Higher dosages may be given after having consulted a therapist who has measured the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in relevant cell membranes (red blood cells). In most industrialized countries, many people get too much of the omega-6 fatty acids, and would therefore benefit from eating more seafood or taking supplements with omega-3 fatty acids derived from organisms low in the food chain (algae, krill).

Flax seeds contain a high level of the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, and freshly ground flaxseed meal or flax oil can be mixed with breakfast cereals or smoothies. Note that it may be advisable to limit eating farmed fish to once per week, since their fodder contains less omega-3 fatty acids than the food eaten by wild fish, and possibly also contains more contaminants. [12] Some researchers even warn against letting children eat too much fish because of the content of environmental toxins. [13,14]

Reasons for high-dose supplements of micronutrients

I have identified a number of arguments in favor of supplementing the modern diet with essential nutrients, here summarized with seven headlines. Most people should consider taking a multivitamin supplement containing vitamins and minerals even if they eat a nutritionally balanced diet.

Additional nutrients may contribute to better health and, in some cases, can be of vital importance in our modern world. The arguments are presented in random order, i.e. the order does not reflect priority.

1. The agricultural revolution has reduced food quality

The transition from an existence as hunter and gatherers to urban agriculture around 10,000 years ago began an epoch when foods were mass-produced but had lower nutritional density, compared with the previous food eaten by our ancestors. The nutritional density in many foods has fallen significantly since human societies transformed from hunter-gatherers into resident farmers. This is especially true in the last 60-70 years after agriculture was changed from small, versatile ecologically driven family farms to large, chemical-based, industrial agriculture. [15]

The reduction of nutritional content in modern crops, compared with older varieties, is well documented. [16] It is a consequence of soil erosion, loss of essential minerals from continual heavy use, combined with breeding of new varieties, which has increased the size and growth rate of plants by increasing the content of sugar and water and decreasing their mineral content compared to ancient species. At the same time, the relative content of other macronutrients (fat, protein/amino acids) and antioxidants may have been reduced.

Reduced nutritional density in many foods, combined with the use of refined “foods” like sugar, white flour and refined oils, places a greater priority on eating the most nutritious foods.

Farm produce grown organically generally has higher levels of essential nutrients such as trace minerals because the soil contains higher levels of trace minerals and the produce grows slower and thus has more time to absorb nutrients from the soil. Examples of nutrient dense foods are sardines, wild salmon, shellfish, eggs, liver, kale, collards and spinach, sea plants (seaweed), garlic, blueberries, and dark chocolate. [17]

2. Nutritional content of food varies with geographical location

Nutritional density varies considerably geographically between different regions, even with the same agricultural methods. This was documented in the United States in 1948 by a researcher at Rutgers University in the so-called Firman Bear report. [18] At that time agriculture was little mechanized, and artificial fertilizers and pesticides were hardly used.

The analysis found large differences in the content of minerals in the same food. The largest variations were found for potassium, sodium, boron and iron in spinach, while the greatest differences in calcium, magnesium and copper content were found in tomatoes.

The soil in areas with relatively low rainfall may in some cases contain an extremely high concentration of minerals, which is reflected in the plants growing there. This was well documented 70 years ago in the book Tomorrow’s Food. [19] The dentist George W. Heard found that the soil in Hereford, Texas, was exceptionally rich in minerals.[20]

Hereford became known as the “town without a toothache” after a newspaper article from January 29, 1942, reported that Hereford had the lowest incidence of tooth decay of any city in the United States. [21] Dr. Heard found that people in Hereford had exceptionally few dental cavities and also that the soil locally was especially rich in minerals. He emphasized that the population in the county ate unprocessed food and was drinking raw milk. [19]

Recent research shows that differences in the content of the selenium in the soil can cause major differences in the concentration of selenium in meat. [22] For instance, since the soil in Finland is poor in selenium, the authorities decided in the early 1980s to add selenate to commercial fertilizers. A survey of selenium status among 108 healthy young people showed an increase in the blood selenium level of about 50 percent after four years. [23]

A similar problem with the level of minerals in the soil exists for the content of magnesium. Often when the soil gets depleted of magnesium from heavy use, this essential mineral is not included in soil amendment with fertilizers. Produce grown in soil with an adequate level of magnesium will contain more magnesium than produce grown in soil deficient in magnesium.

Perhaps as many as 70-80% of the US population is magnesium-deficient, which causes many health problems. [24] Magnesium supplements (chloride, malate or citrate) can provide an adequate level when vegetables grown in soil with adequate magnesium are not available.

3. Stress and the modern lifestyle increase the need for nutrients

Mental stress increases the excretion and hence the need for many nutrients. Among the most important are magnesium and vitamin C, both of which are used by the body in larger quantities during periods of physical and mental stress. [24,25] Compared with our past as hunters and gatherers, today´s stress is often of a more permanent nature. Instead of experiencing occasional situations where we had to fight or flee, many of us live with recurring stress day in and out.

Vitamin C protects the brain and nervous system from damage caused by stress because the synthesis and maintenance of chemical neurotransmitters such as adrenaline and noradrenaline requires adequate levels of vitamin C. [25]

Vitamin C is also needed to repair collagen which is essential for skin, blood vessels, bones and joints, and muscles. When these are damaged by physical stress, extra vitamin C is necessary.

A controlled trial of 91 adults who experienced increased anxiety and stress 2-3 months after an earthquake in New Zealand in 2011 was divided into three groups, two were given a broad spectrum supplement of micronutrients in low or higher doses. [26] The supplements were found to alleviate the experience of stress, with the biggest dose having the biggest effect.

Our sedate, modern lifestyle reduces the need for energy from food, which implies a lower food intake or obesity. Loren Cordain, PhD, and coworkers have estimated that hunter-gatherers had significantly higher energy needs than the typical modern office worker. [27]

A lower energy intake generally reduces the absolute intake of all nutrients, while the need for some nutrients is not always reduced proportionally with energy intake. Overall this suggests that more exercise along with a more nutritious diet, including supplements of essential nutrients and less carbohydrates, will help to prevent obesity and maintain health.

Processing of food reduces its nutritional content, and the finished products are often based on fractions of the original foods. One example is milling grain to make white flour, [1] which has a lower nutritional density than whole grain flour.

The reduction in nutritional value has accelerated since whole foods are now divided into pieces, for example, boneless chicken breast. When meat is injected with saline to increase the volume, the relative level of essential nutrients is reduced. In the United States, many supermarkets in low-income rural and inner city areas have a limited selection of nutrient-dense foods, compared with high-income areas. [28]

4. Environmental pollutants increase the need for nutrients

The need for efficient detoxification and excretion is greatly increased by environmental pollution from the chemical industry, herbicides and pesticides used by industrial agriculture, antibiotic treatment of animals, transport, and plastic packaging. [29]

In our polluted world, the increased toxic load may be compensated for by an increase in nutrients to promote detoxification. One can respond by taking large doses of supplements of essential nutrients, for example, antioxidants vitamin C and E, and an adequate dose of selenium, which help the body detoxify harmful chemicals. Also helpful is regularly taking sauna baths, fasting periodically, and eating an excellent diet that includes generous portions of dark green leafy vegetables and colorful vegetables and fruits. [30]

A recent study predicts that global warming may reduce the nutrient density in many foods worldwide. [31] Atmospheric CO2 is estimated to surpass 550 ppm in the next 30-80 years, leading to larger crops with lower content of protein, iron and zinc per energy unit.

Assuming that diets remain constant, while excluding other climate impacts on food production, the researchers estimated that elevated CO2 could cause an additional 175 million people to be zinc deficient and an additional 122 million people to be protein deficient in 2050. Anemia would increase significantly if crops lose even a small amount of iron. The highest risk regions – South and Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East – are especially vulnerable, since they do not have the means and access to compensate using nutritional supplements.

5. The RDA for essential nutrients is too low

The recommended nutrient reference intake (NRI) has been defined by UK authorities and the EU Food Safety Agency as the dose that is adequate for 95 percent of the population. [32] These authorities have given recommendations for a total of 41 chemical substances, [33] including 13 vitamins, 17 minerals/trace elements, 9 amino acids and two fatty acids. The problem with such guidelines is that when using the same 0.95 fraction for just 16 of the essential nutrients, the fraction of the overall population that has their needs met with the RDA is less than half (0.9516 = 0.44).

Given the above assumption, the proportion of the population having all nutrient needs met falls below 25 percent for 30 nutrients (0.9530 = 0.21). These 25 percent will not necessarily get optimal amounts, just enough so that they probably will have no deficiencies in accordance with established standards. Each individual is different and has different biochemical needs, so we all need different doses of essential nutrients. Many vitamins and minerals can give additional benefit when taken at higher doses.

The need for several essential nutrients increases with age and sickness. This applies, for example, to vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium, and iron. In 2017 the Norwegian Food Safety Authority proposed to revise the official maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements. [34]

The upper limits for some nutrients may be changed in the future. Unfortunately, Norwegian nutrition “experts” will likely continue to limit allowable doses below those freely available in the US and even Sweden.

6. An optimal nutrient intake promotes health and delays aging

A spokesperson for optimal nutritional intake is the well-known biochemist Bruce Ames, who proposed the “triage theory of nutrients,” in which enzymes responsible for cell maintenance functions evolved to have lower affinity for the essential vitamin and mineral cofactors than the enzymes responsible for short-term survival, to preserve life during times of famine. [35]

Thus, higher levels of vitamins and minerals may delay mitochondrial aging, speed up the repair of large molecules such as DNA and collagen, and generally improve other cellular functions. This is an important rationale for taking higher doses of vitamins and minerals than recommended reference intakes.

Dietary supplements can slow the aging process, in part by reducing the harmful effects of free radicals, known to be involved in many diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. [36]

Naturally occurring hormones and/or supplements of cofactors needed for optimal hormone production in the body can have a significant life-prolonging effect if the body produces less than optimal amounts. [37] This is especially relevant for those with a genetic predisposition for disease.

An optimum intake of all nutrients is difficult to achieve even for those who eat almost exclusively an excellent diet of nutrient dense foods, such as meat and innards, fish, shellfish, fowl, eggs, nuts, mushrooms, and vegetables, berries and nutritious fruits. Some nutrients such as folic acid or carotenoids in vegetables are absorbed better from processed than unprocessed foods.

Although vegetables are often considered to be a good source of vitamins, for example vitamin A from carrots, vitamin A is only found in animal products such as liver, egg yolk, fish cod and cod liver oil. Although eating raw vegetables is helpful for several reasons (vitamin C, fiber, microbiota), carotenoids (alpha/beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene) in vegetables are less well absorbed from raw than cooked food and better absorbed in the presence of added fat. [38,39].

Nutrients in vegetables are better absorbed when finely chewed, graded, or mashed [38], and cooking and grinding meat reduces the energy required to digest it [40] and increases nutrient absorption [41].

Orthomolecular pioneer Abram Hoffer and Orthomolecular News Service Editor Andrew W. Saul suggested this list of daily intakes of vitamins and minerals. [42] The Norwegian 2017 recommendations for adult men and women [43] are given in comparison. Individual needs may vary substantially from person to person and also with health status.

The figures for optimal intake are obtained from the Independent Vitamin Safety Review Panel of physicians, researchers and academics, who concluded:

“People are deceived in believing that they can get all the nutrients they need from a ‘balanced diet’ consisting of processed foods. To achieve an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, a diet of unprocessed whole foods, along with intelligent use of dietary supplements is more than just a good idea: it is vital.” [44: 55]

A well-known example is vitamin C, which can effectively fight viral infections, prevent or reverse disease caused by bacteria, and help the body detoxify organic and inorganic toxins. [45] Vitamin C also reduces the risk for cancer, strengthens connective tissues (collagen), and counteracts stress by increasing the adrenal´s production of cortisol. The dose required is set according to the body’s need.

Nobel Price Laureate Linus Pauling suggested that an optimal daily intake of vitamin C could vary from at least 250 mg up to 20 grams per day. [46] Because unabsorbed vitamin C attracts water into the gut, some people may experience loose stools, gas and/or diarrhea by ingesting only 1-2 grams at a time, while others with a higher level of stress may tolerate 5-6 grams or more. The dose that causes loose stools is called the “bowel tolerance” for vitamin C. [47] To avoid the laxative effect of high doses, it is best to take vitamin C throughout the day in smaller divided doses.

When the body is stressed by disease, the gut will naturally absorb more vitamin C because the body needs more. To find the optimal dose, the intake should be increased until bowel tolerance is reached. Some people can tolerate more than 100,000 mg/d of vitamin C in divided doses during serious illness without having loose stool.

Liposomal vitamin C bypasses the normal bowel tolerance because it is absorbed directly through cell membranes, so higher doses can be tolerated without diarrhea.

7. A human right to receive correct information

Access to correct information about food and essential nutrients, including knowledge about the importance of food for health is a fundamental human right. Such information should not only provide a summary of the nutrient content of food, but in our opinion should also explain how dietary supplements can counteract deficiencies and prevent and reverse disease caused by nutrient deficiencies.

We should be free to purchase quality-controlled supplements of essential nutrients and to use them to counteract aging and damage from stress as part of a long-term health plan. The right to reject recommendations by doctors for symptomatic treatment with synthetic, some times life-threatening, drugs to alleviate symptoms should be included. [48,49]

I have not found any formulation of such rights from the Norwegian authorities. The role of parents and their right to receive correct health information is addressed in a book by lawyer Anne Kjersti C. Befring, a fellow at the University of Oslo since 2014. [50]

Summary

The use of dietary supplements is widespread. High doses of vitamins are thought to be helpful because they help the body recover from damage and maintain itself long-term. Many vitamins are not harmful in doses even 10 to 100-fold higher than officially recommended.

Some governments warn about possible negative side effects, even including increased mortality from “excessive” intake of certain supplements. However, supplements of essential nutrients have been available for more than 80 years. They are known to be safe, and the observed side effects are generally mild with few exceptions.

It is possible to ingest too much of certain vitamins and minerals (vitamin A, calcium, iron, copper, selenium) which may exacerbate an existing imbalance or lack of another mineral (magnesium, zinc). It is also important to balance intake of fatty acids in the omega-6 and omega-3 series, as most people get too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3.

Small children can be overdosed with adult doses of for example vitamin A or iron, and pills may be dangerous for babies or young children because they can get stuck in the throat. Therefore, I recommend consulting a doctor or nutritionist educated in orthomolecular medicine. Most people are likely to benefit from taking a broad-spectrum multivitamin/mineral supplement as a basic insurance against deficiencies.

Compared to pharmaceutical drugs, supplements of most essential nutrients are quite harmless. However, some supplements may have poor quality, or contain toxic metals such as lead or cadmium. Therefore, it is the duty of our authorities to ensure that potentially hazardous products or supplements of poor quality are not sold, and that consumers are offered fair prices in a free market.

An example where the Norwegian authorities do not follow up such basic duties is that pharmacies demand more than 1,600 Norwegian Kroner (about $190) per kg of vitamin C in powder form, which would cost less than $20 with free competition and no restrictions in permitted doses or outlets.

Those who want to use natural healing methods, such as the use of food and supplements of essential nutrients to prevent or reverse illness, should consult therapists who are qualified to give advice on how natural therapies can help.

I recommend that anyone interested in supplements read the references for this article as well as the archives of the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/ and the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/index.shtml . Both are free access online.

(Dag Viljen Poleszynski, PhD, is the editor of Helsemagasinet [Health Magazine] https://vof.no/arkiv/ . He has translated and published a large number of OMNS releases in Norwegian.)

References

1. National Nutrition Council. Dietary advice to promote public health and prevent chronic disease. Directorate of Health, Oslo January 2011.

Comments and media contact: drsaul@doctoryourself.com OMNS welcomes but is unable to respond to individual reader emails. Reader comments become the property of OMNS and may or may not be used for publication.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) are critically important for health. That is the reason we at HPDI include them in our foundational supplements system in the form of our Essential Fats Plus E formula. Essential Fats Plus E provides a balanced ratio of 4:1 omega-3 EPA to omega-6 GLA fatty acids proven to optimally support health.

As important as Omega-3 fats are in good health, various studies conclude they are of little value. In order to help clarity the fallacies found in such studies, this month we re-print the recent article “Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease” from the Orthomolecular News Service (OMNS).

BACKGROUND

Essential fats including Omega-3 and Omega-6 are so important to health that we consider them as foundational or “core” to basic nutrition as multivitamins, antioxidants/vitamin C formulas, and high-RNA superfoods, like Rejuvenate! Plus.

Many of today’s health problems relate to deficiencies in Omega-3 essential fatty acids rather than overabundance of it. It makes sense for everyone to supplement their diets with at least a minimum amount of essential fats. This is addition to consuming foods high in Omega-3 (and Omega-6) essential fats, including leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and seed oils. Also, small amounts of wild-caught fish from clean waters. Preferably these fish would come from low on the food chain, such as sardines, herring, or young mackerel, for example.

In December 2107, my father Hank Liers, PhD, wrote “The Truth about Essential Fatty Acids.” In his article, he delves into detail about why essential fatty acids are critical for health.

The diagram below from Dr. Hank’s article shows in detail the pathways for the production and use of fatty acids in the body. In the figure the metabolic pathways (running left to right) for four fatty acids types are shown (top – Omega-3, second – Omega-6, third – Omega-9, bottom – Omega-7). Notice that only the omega-3 and omega-6 oils are considered to be essential fatty acids because they cannot be made in the body. This means they must come from food.

Furthermore, an additional diagram from Dr. Hank’s article shown below provides details of the omega-6 and omega-3 pathways. Pathway specifics indicate key eicosanoids (series 1 prostaglandins [anti-inflammatory], series 2 prostaglandins [pro-inflammatory], and series 3 prostaglandins [anti-inflammatory]), oil sources, and important nutrient cofactors that are needed for the reactions to take place.

Dr. Hank also discusses the fallacy of thinking that supplemental Omega-3 fats alone are sufficient to produce health. That is, despite the relative lack of Omega-3 essential fats and the prevalence of Omega-6 fats in modern diets, it is nevertheless the forms (EPA and GLA)—and the critical 4:1 ratio between them—that makes the difference in how they act synergistically for health. The result of Hank’s scientific understanding of essential fatty acids has resulted in his formulation of a balanced EFA product, Essential Fats Plus E.

Regarding the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service article “Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease” (republished below) rebutting the “Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews” which relies on so-called “Evidence Based Medicine” (EBM) to distort truth on Omega-3 essential fatty acids, the fact that Omega-3 fats are under such false attack represents a huge disservice to the public.

While essential fatty acids may not generate profits for corporations—and in fact may lead to improved health outcomes that threaten the use of chemicals and drugs—essential fats nevertheless remain foundational for health.

Above we have shown the important reasons Omega-3 fats and other essential fatty acids are scientifically termed “essential.” And why people continue taking essential fats, and giving them to their families and children, for supporting health and well-being. Primary among these reasons is that you cannot be healthy without them. Hence, they are essential. Why believe anyone who says otherwise?

The bottom line: Omega-3 essential fatty acids are critical for health. Supplementing the diet with them is a good idea for nearly everyone. This is especially true because typical diets are proven to be most deficient in Omega-3 among essential fats.

Below we re-print in full the recent article “Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease” from the Orthomolecular News Service (OMNS) for the benefit of our HPDI blog readers. ~

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease

Commentary by Damien Downing, MBBS, MSB and Robert G. Smith, PhD

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews has just updated its own review: Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease [1]. Here’s our take on it.

Michael Pollan, the brilliant food writer, reckoned you could sum up what to do about nutrition and diets in 7 words; “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” That sums up both what’s best for humans and what’s best for the planet.

We reckon you can sum up what’s wrong with evidence-based medicine (EBM) in 10 words; “Evidence is a waste of data; systematic reviews are palimpsests.” You can use that as a knife to quickly dissect this study.

There are many things wrong with this review. Somebody’s PR department has spun the review’s “no clear evidence of benefit” into “evidence of no benefit” – absence of evidence becoming evidence of absence. And clearly the media were entirely happy to take that one and run with it.

Systematic reviews are palimpsests

What’s a palimpsest? Back when things got written on vellum, an animal skin, not on paper, you didn’t throw it away; you recycled it and wrote over the original. It was called a palimpsest.

A systematic review gives an opportunity to write over the conclusions of a whole list of papers with your new version of the truth. You do that by the way that you select and exclude them.

For instance there was a meta-analysis (that’s a systematic review with more numbers) in 2005 that concluded that vitamin E supplements significantly increased the risk of death [2]. The way they did that was to rule out any study with less than 10 deaths – when fewer deaths was exactly the outcome they were supposed to be looking for.

The reason they gave for doing that was “because we anticipated that many small trials did not collect mortality data.” We’re not buying it; they used it as a trick to enable them to get the negative result they wanted – to over-write the findings of a long list of original studies.

And here we have authors doing the very same thing in this omega-3 study – and upping the ante slightly. Now the threshold is 50 deaths. Fewer than that and your study is ruled out of the final, supposedly least biased, analysis . . on the grounds that it’s more biased.

We don’t know how they could keep a straight face while saying (our interpretation); “The studies with fewer deaths showed more benefit from omega-3s, so we excluded them.” At least that’s what happened back in 2004 when the first version of this came out.[3]

But this is the 8th update (we think) and they no longer bother to tell you about what they included or excluded in detail, so we can only assume that if they had changed that exclusion they would have told us.

The weird thing is that they are allowed to do it. Nutrition researcher Dr. Steve Hickey has shown that in systematic reviews there is generally control for bias in the included studies, but none for bias in the actual review and its authors.[4,5]

They found not one example of adequate blinding among 100 Cochrane reviews (like this one); they could all be palimpsests. Do we know that they are fake? No, but it doesn’t matter: what we do know is that we can’t trust them. Nor can we trust this Cochrane review. Things haven’t changed since 2004.

Evidence is a waste of data

Evidence is what lawyers and courts use to find someone Guilty or Not Guilty, and we all know how that can go wrong. It’s a binary system: you’re either one or the other. But at least if you’re on trial all the evidence should be about you and whether you did the crime.

In EBM the evidence is all about populations, not about individuals. When a doctor tells you “There’s a 1 in 3 chance this treatment will work” he is required to base that on big studies, or even systematic reviews. You don’t, and you can’t, know what that means for you because very likely you don’t fit the population profile.

As Steve Hickey (again) said, the statistical fallacy underlying all this states that you have one testicle and one ovary – because that’s the population average! The authors of this study update started off with about 2100 papers that looked relevant. They then excluded 90 per cent of them for various reasons – some of them good reasons, some not.

A smarter way to work would be to data-mine them and look for useful information about sub-groups and sub-effects in all the papers. Is there a particular reason omega-3s might work for you and not for others? Perhaps you can’t stand fish, or are allergic to them, and so are deficient in omega-3s.

But the review system doesn’t allow it, it insists on overall conclusions (about populations), and that’s a colossal waste of data. It also confounds the overall finding of the review – it biases it in fact.

Here’s an example: while most subgroups that made it to the final analysis showed a small reduction in risk from taking omega-3s in one form or another (pills, food, whatever), those who got it from supplemented foods, which we understand means stuff like margarine with added omega-3, showed a 4.3-fold death risk increase!

The problem here is that the effects of omega-3 fatty acids cannot be studied alone as if they were a drug. What counts are all the other components of the diet that affect a person’s health.

Processed foods and drinks that contain many unhealthy ingredients can’t be made healthy by adding small doses of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, many processed foods that contain small doses of vitamins and other essential nutrients are unhealthy because they contain large doses of sugar, salt, and harmful ingredients such as preservatives, dyes, and other non-food items.

Why lipids are so important

Part of the problem is that lipids are truly complicated, and not many people, patients, doctors or even scientists, understand them well. You need a good understanding of lipid metabolism to appreciate the difference in metabolism and impact between alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, in food such as oily fish) and extracted oils such as EPA and DHA that are only found at high levels in omega-3 supplements.

At these levels they are effectively new to nature; nobody, indeed no mammal, was exposed to really high doses of DHA until we invented fish oil supplements [6]. Miss that fact and you miss the difference between having people eat fresh oily fish or just using omega-3 margarine!

We know from a variety of studies that a diet containing generous portions of green leafy and colorful vegetables and fruits, moderate portions of eggs, fish, and meat, and supplements of adequate doses of essential nutrients (vitamins and minerals) is effective at lowering the risk for cardiovascular disease.

Adequate doses of both omega-3 (in flax oil, walnuts, fish) and omega-6 (in seed oils such as canola, soybean, peanut) fatty acids are essential for health. Although essential, omega-6 fatty acids are thought to contribute to inflammation throughout the body whereas omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for most body organs including the brain but are found in lower levels than omega-6 fatty acids in most vegetables. Risk for cardiovascular disease can be lowered by adequate doses of vitamins C (3,000-10,000mg/d), D (2,000-10,000 IU/d), E (400-1,200 IU/d), and magnesium (300-600 mg/d) in addition to an excellent diet that includes an adequate dose of omega-3 fatty acids.[7]

(Dr. Damien Downing is a specialist physician practicing in London, and President of the British Society for Ecological Medicine. Robert G. Smith is a physiologist and Research Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School Of Medicine.)

Comments and media contact: drsaul@doctoryourself.com OMNS welcomes but is unable to respond to individual reader emails. Reader comments become the property of OMNS and may or may not be used for publication.

Multivitamins are the most important of the basic or foundational supplements providing nutrients essential for health and wellness. Because if there is a single nutritional supplement everyone should take, a multivitamin is it.

But it can’t be just any multivitamin. The best multivitamins are complete, high-potency, high-quality, high-purity, provide a complete range of essential vitamins and minerals, and contain advanced forms—more about advanced forms later.

The purpose of taking a high-potency multivitamin not only is to provide the body with amounts and forms of nutrients meeting minimum requirements for avoiding deficiency conditions, but also sufficient levels of nutrients that can support optimal health. Because vitamins levels for optimal health are NOT the same as levels required to avoid deficiency conditions.

MORE THAN DAILY ALLOWANCES

While 40% of Americans say they take a multivitamin daily, how many actually obtain all the nutrients they need for optimal health from taking it? Practically no one. Why?

Because basic “recommended daily amounts” (100% of daily allowance) typically found in multivitamins are based on models for disease prevention. That is, these are minimum levels indicated to avoid conditions like Pellagra (caused by vitamin B3 deficiency), Beriberi (caused by vitamin B1 deficiency), or Rickets (caused by vitamin D deficiency), for example. Nutrient fortification of foods by law has mostly eradicated those conditions. But, as noted, minimum recommended amounts are not the amounts required for optimal health.

The best multivitamin supplements therefore do not provide just 100% of a recommended daily amount of a certain nutrient, but far higher amounts. That is for truly optimal health, high-potency is a must in multivitamins. One of the main reasons for this is “biochemical individuality.” While most people fall within a certain range in terms of their needs for a specific nutrient, the overall range (or bell curve) may be quite large. Your needs may be greater.

Another, related reason is genetics. If you are heterozygous for a gene that requires a specific nutrient, then you may already be at a disadvantage for assimilating or processing it. If you are homozygous, then not having sufficient amounts of a nutrient can have much larger, adverse consequences.

For any given nutrient, then, your needs may be higher or significantly higher than other people’s needs. The best way to guarantee your needs are met is to ensure you consume larger amounts. That is, a high-potency multivitamin providing levels of nutrients well above the minimum amounts established to avoid deficiency.

MULTIVITAMINS ARE SAFE, LOW COST,
AND EFFECTIVE

High-potency multivitamins work well because vitamins—at least at the levels we are talking about here—are non-toxic, safe, and well-tolerated. Add to the safety of vitamins their relatively low cost (especially compared to pharmaceuticals) that solidifies the case for high-potency multivitamins as a virtual “no-brainer” for supporting good health.

That is the basic rationale for why you need a high-quality, high-potency multivitamin. There are many other reasons. Such reasons include the fact that diet alone is usually not enough to provide the levels of basic nutrients you need.

DIET ALONE IS USUALLY INSUFFICIENT FOR OPTIMAL LEVELS OF NUTRIENTS

Diet alone could perhaps be sufficient if foods were nutrient-dense and you consumed enough of them. But foods today are typically not nutrient-dense given how modern agriculture has stripped the soils of essential nutrients. Herbicides and pesticides then poison foods. And the widely used glyphosate herbicide (RoundUp) actually depletes nutrients in foods by blocking their uptake in plants leading to further depletion in crop foods. Food processing then strips out additional nutrients. Get the picture?

On top of all this, your requirements for nutrients are increased by factors such as pollution and chemical exposures (and greater stress on detoxification organs), emotional stress, immune stresses (like fighting off colds or flu), and even free-radical stress caused by electromagnetic fields (EMFs) such as mobile phone and Wi-Fi exposures. In many cases, various stresses and environmental exposures put a greater burden on your antioxidant defense systems by subjecting you to free-radical attack. This is just the beginning.

Assuming your diet were “perfect” (which most likely it is not), your needs for various nutrients will vary depending on your levels of exposure to stresses (emotional, chemical, electromagnetic, etc.). This means that as your needs for extra nutrients rise to combat these stresses, the simplest and best way to meet those needs is through consuming additional, supplemental amounts of nutrients—to successfully meet those needs. Otherwise, having only minimal amounts (i.e., daily values created to avoid deficiency diseases) means your need for higher amounts will not be met.

IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, TAKE A HIGH-QUALITY MULTIVITAMIN

A multivitamin can meet those additional needs, or at least start meeting them. In fact, a multivitamin is the best “first line of defense.” In the HPDI system, a multivitamin is just one of six foundational supplements—but it “first among equals” and therefore the very first supplement we recommend. This means that if you do nothing else, then take a multivitamin.

Need another good reason to make a multivitamin? Again, genetics. HPDI has teamed up with Bodysync, the developer of Nutrisync genetic tests (available to HPDI resellers on the reseller website and to retail customers by phone) that offers testing for health-related genetic variations in your DNA.

Among the first things we realized after analyzing Nutrsync genetic test results is that many genetic variants that may cause problems with uptake of certain nutrients—or that require additional amounts of nutrients—can be partly or wholly mitigated by taking a high-potency multivitamin. This is not true in every case, but surprisingly the nutrients provided in a quality multivitamin can be a strong defense in this regard.

Another thing we noticed is that the results of almost everyone taking the Nutrisync test exhibit certain genetic weaknesses that would benefit from a multivitamin. Another “no brainer” observation that may not have been so obvious beforehand, yet which corresponds with what we have been recommending to clients for decades: Take a multivitamin!

People may not realize that optimal health is within reach. Taking a high-potency multivitamin daily is a major first step toward achieving it.

BENEFITS OF A HIGH-QUALITY, HIGH-POTENCY MULTIVITAMIN

Considering all the factors involved in optimal nutrition—and how important nutrition is to health—it is remarkable to think that your health can be well maintained or dramatically improved simply by taking a high-potency multivitamin. Yet, that is a fact. And

• Ensures complete nutrition by providing a wide-range of nutrients to supplement those obtainable by diet
• Provides optimal levels of nutrients in a balanced way
• Guards against deficiencies of particular nutrients
• Protects against nutrient depletion caused by increased needs for nutrients (e.g., various stresses or periods of inadequate intake).
• Helps you fulfill genetic potential by supplying nutrients required for optimal genetic expression and for overcoming adverse genetic factors
• Safe, low cost, and effective means to support good health

BENEFITS OF HPDI MULTIVITAMINS

HPDI formulates and sells some of the highest-quality, high-potency multivitamins available. Many of our customers are health professionals who supply their clients with our multivitamins—because health professionals demand supplements proven to be effective. And they know the difference!

• HPDI multivitamins provide a complete range of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, cofactors, and phytonutrients
• Therapeutic levels of nutrients in amounts necessary for health—typically greater than daily values
• Nutrients balanced so as not to provide too little or too much of any given nutrient
• High-purity with minimal excipients, and avoidance of harmful excipients
• Advanced forms (including coenzyme vitamins) for optimal uptake, transport, and utilization
• Inclusion of coenzyme form B vitamins
• Inclusion of potent antioxidants and Nrf2 activators
• Formulated by Hank Liers, PhD, designer of supplements for 30 years
• Vegetarian capsules

HPDI MULTIVITAMINS

Health Products Distributors, Inc. (HPDI) currently offers five multivitamins, including Mighty Multi-Vite!, Multi Two (tabs and caps), Mini Multi, and Chewable Kids Mighty-Multi. Each multivitamin is formulated for a specific purpose:

• Chewable Kids Mighty-Multi! tastes great and includes xylitol to prevent cavities. Kids love this chewable formula, but it is also scalable for adults. This formula is most similar to Mighty Multi-Vite! in terms its nutrient content.

HPDI MULTIVITAMINS IN DEPTH

1. MIGHTY MULTI-VITE!

HANK & BRIAN’S™ MIGHTY MULTI-VITE! (or as we often call it, the “Mighty Multi”) is perhaps the premier HPDI multivitamin, and definitely among the flagship multivitamins we offer. I personally take this one most of the time. It is in the “Hank & Brian’s” line, which generally are among our best products.

Mighty Multi incorporates the latest nutritional research in a complete formula that combines the highest-quality, most assimilable forms of vitamins and minerals along with advanced herbal nutrition.

Mighty Multi-Vite! is an advanced, cutting-edge multivitamin that is a leader within HPDI’s line of foundational supplements. This formula exhibits superior performance with respect to supporting optimal health, and is among the world’s most sophisticated multivitamins. Mighty Multi-Vite! works synergistically with other foundational supplements to help sustain maximum health, vitality, and promote longevity.

Now with these 7 absolutely essential improvements:

Now in an ultra-pure vegetarian capsule

Vitamin B12 is now in the methylcobalamin coenzyme form

Turmeric is now in an extract form with 95% curcuminoids – a powerful Nrf2 activator

Mighty Multi-Vite! is an HPDI flagship multivitamin offering special nutrients for antioxidant protection.

MIGHTY MULTI-VITE!BENEFITS

COMPLETE, BALANCED ESSENTIAL NUTRITION – Provides a full spectrum of nutrients exceptionally well balanced for creating and maintaining optimal health. Mighty Multi-Vite! offers all the most important vitamins along with minerals, cofactors, antioxidants, and herbs.

RAPID, EASY ASSIMILATION – Incorporates the most bioavailable vitamin and mineral carriers most easily recognized and rapidly assimilated by your body. In addition, the formula uses multiple forms of mineral carriers to ensure assimilation. In addition, the capsule form speeds uptake because it does not require time for the body to break it down (unlike tablets).

ENERGIZING – Includes coenzyme form vitamins and Krebs Cycle bionutrients that work with your body to create super high energy levels. Provides significant levels of B vitamins (especially coenzyme B vitamins) known for boosting energy, supporting the body during times of stress, nerve function, heart function, and for working together with dietary RNA (found in Rejuvenate!™ superfoods) to produce significant therapeutic effects.

FOUNDATIONAL SUPPLEMENT – For creating health and establishing a complete supplement program. Providing excellent foundational nutrition, Mighty Multi-Vite! is designed to work synergistically with other foundational formulas for maximum health benefits.

In addition to the newest improvements, Mighty Multi-Vite! features:

A full spectrum of B-complex vitamins, most in coenzyme forms, as well as more conventional forms. Includes Vitamin B1 as thiamin HCl and thiamin diphosphate, Vitamin B2 as riboflavin and riboflavin-5′-phosphate, Vitamin B3 as niacinamide and niacin, Vitamin B5 as pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6 as pyridoxine HCl and pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, folate as L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF), Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin, and biotin.

All of the known essential minerals in forms readily absorbed and recognized by the body including calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, manganese, boron, copper, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and selenium.

Includes the important sulfur-containing amino acid N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine to support the body’s antioxidant and detoxification systems and betaine HCl to support digestive processes.

Includes choline and inositol which play a crucial role in all of the cell membranes of the body, in brain function, and in liver function.

Exclusion of the prooxidant minerals of iron and iodine which can lead to excessive free-radical production and PABA that sometimes adversely affects brain function in some individuals. Note: we sell iodine as separate formulas.

Capsule form that ensures the maximum absorption of ingredients.

Four-per-day full dosage that allows for partial dosing for children, seniors, and pets.

Vegetarian formula – including capsule.

Capsule contents designed to smell and taste good to adults and children when emptied into smoothies, drinks, and foods. This allows greater flexibility of use.

Exclusion of ingredients such as wheat, gluten, dairy, corn, soy, and egg having well-known antigenic properties and that may be associated with allergy or delayed hypersensitivity reactions.

A minimum of excipients, fillers, lubricants, etc. having deleterious effects in some individuals. No GMOs.

As I mentioned previously, the Mighty Multi is uniquely advanced it that it provides special antioxidant ingredients like turmeric, grape extract, and broccoli sprouts powder.

2 & 3. MULTI TWO (CAPS & TABS)

MULTI TWO is another HPDI flagship multivitamin. We recommend it especially for individuals who prefer more B vitamins built into their multivitamin. Yet, it offers somewhat fewer antioxidant nutrients.

MULTI TWO is a pure, complete, biochemically formulated multivitamin supplement with minerals and cofactors. It dissolves readily and is highly bioavailable. All ingredients are sourced for purity and carefully selected to avoid common food allergens. MULTI TWO is available in tablet and vegetarian capsule forms.

MULTI TWO is among HPDI’s most popular multivitamins, providing top-notch quality, high-purity, advanced design and formulation, and exceptional value for the price.

The formula comes in tablet or capsule forms. The tablet is suitable for vegetarians, only containing plant fiber to bind components, further eliminating chemical contaminants. The capsule form now is also vegetarian. The capsules have a four-per-day full dosage allowing for partial dosing for children, seniors, and pets. Note: the capsule’s powder contents taste quite good to most people, so it can be added to sippy cups, blender drinks, smoothies, pet foods, etc.

MULTI TWO is one of HPDI’s foundational multivitamin supplements in our health recovery and maintenance programs. A foundational program of supplements includes a multivitamin, essential fatty acids, a Vitamin C formula, and a Rejuvenate!™ superfood.

Multi Two Caps are among HPDI’s premier therapeutic-grade multivitamin formulas providing a complete range of nutrients.

POWERFULLY ENERGIZING. Includes Coenzyme Form Vitamins and Krebs Cycle Bionutrients that work with your body to create high energy levels. Full-Spectrum Essential Nutrients Needed For Building, Supporting, and Maintaining Excellent Health.

HIGH PURITY. One of the Purest Available Supplements. Carefully Designed To Exclude Common Allergens, and Exclude or Minimize Excipients, Additives, and Fillers.

TABLET AND VEGETARIAN CAPSULE FORMS. We Offer Both Forms Giving You More Choice. Take Your Pick.

MULTI TWO FEATURES

A full-spectrum of B-complex vitamins, most in coenzyme forms, as well as more conventional forms. Includes Vitamin B1 as thiamin HCl and thiamin diphosphate, Vitamin B2 as riboflavin and riboflavin 5’-phosphate, Vitamin B3 as niacinamide and niacin, and Vitamin B6 as pyridoxine HCl and pyridoxal 5’-phosphate, folate from calcium folinate and 5-MTHF, Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin and hydroxocobalamin, and biotin.

All of the most absorbable and usable forms of the fat-soluble vitamin group, including Vitamin A (as natural beta-carotene), Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol succinate and mixed tocopherols), Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol), and two forms of Vitamin K (K1 as phylloquinone and K2 as menaquinone-7).

All of the known essential minerals in forms readily absorbed and recognized by the body including calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, manganese, boron, copper, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, and selenium.

Choline and inositol which play a crucial role in all of the cell membranes of the body, in brain function, and in liver function.

Exclusion of the prooxidant minerals of iron and iodine which can lead to excessive free-radical production and PABA that sometimes adversely affects brain function in some individuals.

Four-per-day full dosage of capsule form allows for partial dosing for children, seniors, and pets.

Tablet and capsule forms are vegetarian (except for pharmaceutical glaze on tablets).

Exclusion of ingredients such as wheat, dairy, corn, soy, and egg having well-known antigenic properties and that may be associated with allergy or delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Contains no GMOs.

A minimum of excipients, fillers, lubricants, etc. that exert deleterious effects in some individuals.

Multi Two is a great multivitamin and in many ways similar to the Mighty Multi-Vite!. However, Multi Two provides more B vitamins and in the case of certain B vitamins, it provides twice as much as Mighty Multi-Vite!. For anyone who requires plenty of B vitamins and who doesn’t necessarily want to take a separate, standalone B vitamin formula, Multi Two is an ideal multivitamin.

4. MINI MULTI

We call our Mini Multi the “World’s Purest Multivitamin.” This is because it was originally formulated for chemically and/or environmentally sensitive persons. The capsule is smaller than our other multivitamins which easily allows for partial dosing. It also is our only all coenzyme form multivitamin.

MINI MULTI is an ultrapure, biochemically formulated, complete multivitamin supplement that includes essential and trace minerals, and cofactors. MINI MULTI is highly bioavailable and contained in a preservative-free veggie capsule (helping eliminate chemical contaminants). The capsule contains no fillers, flow agents, or any other excipients. Each component is the highest purity.

MINI MULTI is ideal for chemically and environmentally sensitive individuals who require ultra-high purity supplements. The formula is designed by Dr. Hank Liers, who developed it as a ultra-pure formula for sensitive individuals. Yet, anyone can take MINI MULTI to benefit from its ultra-high purity and avoidance of additives, fillers, or other excipients.

Many individuals who take MINI MULTI are not chemically sensitive, but suffer from allergies, sensitive digestive tracts, wish to avoid gelatin capsules, or simply do not enjoy swallowing large capsules (or tablets).

ADVANCED DESIGN INCLUDES NEARLY 100% COENZYME FORM B VITAMINS

MINI MULTI’s biochemical formulation incorporates the latest research on nutrient transport and interaction to enhance efficient metabolism and includes coenzyme forms of vitamins. The vitamins and minerals in MINI MULTI activate the body’s metabolic machinery, and synergistic cofactors aid absorption, assimilation, utilization, and metabolism of nutrients.

MINI MULTI is among the first multivitamins to provide almost all coenzyme form B vitamins (i.e., all except vitamin B3, which we include as niacinamide). Coenzyme form vitamins are the natural forms best recognized and utilized in the body. For example, MINI MULTI provides folate in the form of folinic acid (a natural form of folate) from calcium folinate and L-5-MTHF (another natural form of folate), rather than the typical and commonly used folic acid, a synthetic form requiring enzymatic processing in the body for utilization. That is, coenzyme vitamins are easier to assimilate (especially for older individuals or those with health conditions that reduce enzyme activity in vivo) and they are immediately recognized and used in the body.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS OF THE HIGHEST PURITY FORMULA AVAILABLE TODAY

The world’s purest multivitamin supplement, proven for more than a decade

Ideal for chemically, environmentally or allergen sensitive individuals, or anyone desiring an ultra-high purity in a nutritional supplement

MINI MULTI exhibits superior design, technical sophistication, ease of use, and high perfomance. We suggest you try it whether you are sensitive to fillers or flow agents, suffer from allergies due to common additives, wish to avoid artificial ingredients, or simply want the purest multivitamin available.

In this day and age when many individuals suffer from allergies to ingredient sensitivities, Mini Multi represents a choice for the ultimate in high-purity. No excipients means a cleaner supplement option for anyone who may need it.

5. CHEWABLE KIDS MIGHTY-MULTI

HPDI’s KIDS MIGHTY-MULTI! is truly one-of-a-kind. It is most similar to the Mighty Multi-Vite! in terms of the nutrients it provides, including antioxidants. However, it is our only chewable and it tastes great.

KIDS MIGHTY-MULTI! is an advanced chewable multivitamin for children incorporating the latest nutritional research in a tasty, complete formula combining the highest-quality and most usable forms of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and cofactors.

Our children’s multivitamin formula provides optimal levels of basic essential nutrients and thereby is an ideal foundation upon which to build a complete nutritional supplement program. A high-quality multivitamin is the starting-point for building a program uniquely designed to suit to your child’s individual requirements.

We offer KIDS MIGHTY-MULTI! as a “top-of-the-line” children’s formula that tastes great and produces exceptional results. This unique formula very effectively provides children with a solid foundation of nutrients for establishing, building, supporting, and maintaining excellent health during this critical period of their lives.

COMPLETE FORMULA – the most complete children’s formulas available! It provides a full-spectrum of essential nutrients needed for creating, supporting, and maintaining excellent health for your child. It includes natural coenzyme form vitamins and Krebs cycle bionutrients that work with young bodies to provide energy for metabolic processes, healing, and optimal heatlh.

FOUNDATIONAL FORMULA – forms the foundation of a complete supplement program for your child. Formulated to work with other foundational formulas, including Vitamin C formulas (like PRO-C™) and essential fatty acid formulas (like Essential Fats plus E) that together form the basis of a complete nutritional supplement program. You can also add specific supplements addressing your individual needs of your child, i.e., by pinpointing where he or she may require additional nutritional support. Such specific supplements might include Allergy Support Plus, Joint Health Formula, or Ultimate Protector™ (super antioxidant & Nrf2 activator formula).

Kids Mighty-Multi is the perfect multivitamin for kids offering appropriate levels of a wide range of important vitamins, minerals, cofactors, and antioxidants.

• Significant levels of choline and inositol that play a crucial role in all cell membranes, and in brain and liver function.

• Betaine HCl to support digestive processes.

• Exclusion of the pro-oxidant mineral iodine that may lead to excessive free radical production and PABA that can adversely affect brain function. We actually prefer the safer and more therapeutic Nascent Iodine over the forms normally found in vitamin formulas.

• Exclusion of substances that have well-known antigenic properties and that may be associated with allergy or delayed hypersensitivity reactions, including wheat, corn, soy, egg, and dairy.

• Minimum of excipients, fillers, or additives (that may have deleterious effects in some individuals).

MORE ABOUT KIDS MIGHTY-MULTI!

A Better, Safer Multivitamin for Kids

The vast majority of children’s vitamins today are decidedly not advanced formulations. They typically provide only minimum amounts (i.e., no more than government mandated daily values) of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. In addition, most kids’ vitamin on the market remain filled with sugars and artificial ingredients, including aspartame (a known toxin), artificial colorings, preservatives, hydrogenated oils, and other toxic substances.

Consider what our Kids Mighty-Multi! does NOT contain:

Aspartame. There is controversy surrounding this artificial sweetener, which is associated with a variety of neurological problems. In fact, there is widespread consensus that children under six should not use aspartame. We believe no one should consume aspartame at any age!

Refined sugars (usually listed as, sucrose, etc.). There is no place for sugar in multivitamins. Sugar in supplements is also dangerous because when coupled with ascorbic acid, it can damage teeth! Chewable kids vitamins containing sugar expose your child’s teeth to double jeopardy.

Artificial dyes (FD&C Yellow, Blue, and/or Red). Artificial colors are associated with a wide range of health and behavioral problems. These include carcinogenicity, and contributing to learning problems like ADHD. In addition, FD&C Yellow dye #5 (tartrazine) is one of the main food triggers of asthma attacks.

Benzoates, sulfur dioxide, sulfites. These are bad because they are all preservatives that have no business being in a health supplement. They all are known to stimulate allergic reactions.

Hydrogenated oils. These are the bad, sticky fats that are found in junk foods and are harmful to your child’s heart. Incredibly, some companies put hydrogenated oils in a children’s vitamin!

As you can see, our children’s chewable multivitamin is not your ordinary kids multivitamin, and it provides all the benefits of our other multivitamins in a tasty chewable format. In fact, many adults take it who prefer a chewable over a capsule or tablet. It is uniquely formulated to be scalable for adults at the dosage of two tablets per 20 lbs body weight.

CONCLUSION: TAKE A MULTIVITAMIN

Multivitamins are the first supplement most people need and should take. Taking a high-potency, high-purity multivitamin daily provides many benefits beyond what you might expect. This includes everything from ensuring against deficiencies to providing amounts necessary for optimal health, and for compensating for greater needs depending on your unique biochemical individuality. Given the overarching safety and relatively low cost of multivitamins, they are best “first defense” in a nutrient-depleted world.

HPDI offers four of the best multivitamins available anywhere, and five if you consider that Multi Two is available in capsules or tablets. So take your pick among them, and be the healthiest you can be.